The latest issue of V-Jump reveals a new playable Final Fantasy XIII character who deviates from the JRPG norm. Sazh Kalzroy (that's his name) likes the color green, uses two pistol-like weapons, loves Chocobos ... and he's black. One of the last memorable black characters in a JRPG we can recall is Barret from Final Fantasy VII, way back in 1997. We considered Fran from FF XII ... but she was more of a bunny. There's also Vivi from FF IX, although we're not sure if a black mage counts.
It'll be interesting to see how Kalzroy is portrayed in the game. We're also wondering if we'll see a lot more diversity from NPC characters inhabiting the world of FF XIII, or if Kalzroy will be the only black man on the planet. You can check out the full V-Jump scan here.
[Thanks, Copland]
Reader Comments (125)
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 2:30PM OshiHidra said
Katzroy. The katakana reads "Kattsuroi", despite what the illegible script text below seems to say, heh.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 2:33PM MNeko said
Wow, come on over to Pryor's Place!
(bonus points if you recognize this reference)
(bonus points if you recognize this reference)
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 2:39PM Brett from Atlanta said
Oh please god let them get Samuel Jackson to voice his part!
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 3:48PM The Blank Mage Returns said
Great, now I'll be disappointed no matter WHO it is, because I'll have your impossible dream stuck in my mind.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 2:48PM (Unverified) said
Isn't that the sheriff of Megaton? I thought I killed that guy.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 3:36PM Negatron said
Im going to assume he's the first to curse about someone or something. Im black, but besides that, whats with the BoBo Bo BoBo afro!? Who does that? jezus chrise!
This guy = Cait Sith, used once or twice, then never again, 2 guns or not...
He can level his mothafuckin seylf!
Chyea!
This guy = Cait Sith, used once or twice, then never again, 2 guns or not...
He can level his mothafuckin seylf!
Chyea!
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 3:44PM doom saber said
I find it funny that some ppl automatically thinks he is goin to be a steereotype because of his 'fro and that he is black. This isn't the first time Square had a black person in a FF game. Other than Barret, there was that one character who accompanies Leguana in the flashback quests.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 3:52PM Negatron said
Yeah who ever worries about stereotypes in gaming needs to step back and look at the bigger picture. No matter what race, creed, nationality, religion.
All Russians do not spend they're time and money chasing after American women with beeg teetees cousin.
Reply
All Russians do not spend they're time and money chasing after American women with beeg teetees cousin.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:24PM doom saber said
True. For all we know this FF character might be protrayed like Drebin in MGS4. From what I imagine, he is probably some ecentric character who has a soft spot for chocoboos.
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Posted: Jan 14th 2009 3:51PM The Blank Mage Returns said
By the way, Joystiq, real Black Mages don't have a race, they're just awesome. Except Vivi. Okay, he was awesome, like, once. By accident.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 5:43PM TwEE said
So black guys in FF games look like actual males and white guys look like Christina Aguilera?.
Is there some in game reason for this, like why all the aliens look human in Star Trek?
Maybe they're all ex disney stars or something?
Is there some in game reason for this, like why all the aliens look human in Star Trek?
Maybe they're all ex disney stars or something?
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 6:48PM (Unverified) said
I'm sorry, but is that a black character with a CHICKEN? Does SquareEnix realize what kind of sh-tstorm they are asking for by giving a BLACK character a pet CHICKEN? oh, plus out of all the weapons they could've given him (sword, staff, spear, bow/arrow, nun-chucks), they gave him a GUN.
This is both ridiculous and possibly the best FF ever
This is both ridiculous and possibly the best FF ever
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 6:56PM deafwing said
What you talkin' bout willis, I got the illest chocobos shhhhhhoon! man please, just put the guy in the game, who cares if he's yellow, green, or aqua-marine.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 9:54PM CBXweb said
You all act the way I expected.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 10:38PM (Unverified) said
First Obama and now this. 2009 is the year of the black man... except for that part where we keep killing each other...
I'm still ecstatic about this!
I'm still ecstatic about this!
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 12:42AM (Unverified) said
Looks interesting. Lets hope he gets a good voice actor though. Digg thb Chicobbo, its so cute! P.S. I prefer Thugnificents Afro and why are he and lightning embracing yet resisting each other in that caption. @ the Lightings love interest comment: heh, that would be interesting. Lightning likes chocolate huh? Hah! This games gonna rock.
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 3:11AM (Unverified) said
I really didn't want to believe the Japanese scan when I saw it. The caption proclaiming that his afro is a nest for baby chocobos caught my eye, and sure enough, after reading the find print, it became apparent that he walks around with chocobo chicklets living inside his 'fro. For serious?!
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 6:19AM Megadanxzero said
If this guy isn't even more over the top than the Cole Train I shall be very disappointed...
YEAH! WOO! BRING IT ON SUCKA! THIS MAH KINDA RANDOM ENCOUNTER!
YEAH! WOO! BRING IT ON SUCKA! THIS MAH KINDA RANDOM ENCOUNTER!
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 8:48AM KillaPat said
Isn't that guy in Elite Beat Agents?
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 11:56AM Manhammer said
He needs to be voiced by Robert Downey Jr.
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 6:51PM (Unverified) said
Am I the only one who thinks he looks like Richard Pryor? Specifically the Richard Pryor from Superman 2






